San Fermín multiplies Pamplona's population tenfold over nine days. That means high prices, sold-out rooms and a city running at a different pace than the rest of the year. The sooner you sort out these four points, the better your festival experience will be.

Where to sleep

City-centre hotels get booked more than six months in advance and their prices multiply well beyond the usual rate. Real alternatives: tourist apartments on the outskirts, shared rooms that locals themselves rent out during the festival, or staying in nearby towns — Tudela, Estella, Logroño or even San Sebastián — and travelling in by train or bus, both of which add night-time frequencies during San Fermín.

Safety at the festival

The massive crowds and heavy alcohol consumption make prevention essential. These are the points that really matter:

Purple points: spread throughout the festival area, offering information and support in cases of sexual or gender-based violence. They're clearly signposted and staffed by specialist personnel all night long.

First-aid points: the Red Cross and municipal services set up fixed posts in Plaza del Castillo, the Plaza de Toros and along the route of the Running of the Bulls. If you fall or feel unwell, go to one without hesitation.

Valuables: theft spikes in the most crowded areas. Carry only what's strictly necessary and avoid back pockets or open bags in the crowd.

Alcohol and heat: July in Pamplona can top 30°C. The combination of sun, alcohol and crowding is the most common cause of dizziness and heatstroke: hydrate with water, not just sangria.

Eating and drinking like a local

The Old Town is home to most of the pintxo bars, but prices and quality vary a lot from street to street. The areas around Calle San Nicolás and Calle Estafeta (outside the hours of the Running of the Bulls) keep up a good standard even at the height of the festival. The "calderete" — a traditional meat and vegetable stew cooked outdoors by the local peñas (festival clubs) — is the most genuinely San Fermín dish there is, though it's not always easy to find outside the local peñas themselves.

How to get there

Pamplona's airport has limited flights; most international visitors arrive via Bilbao (between 1h30 and 2h by road) or San Sebastián and continue by bus or train. From Madrid, the AVE high-speed train connects to Pamplona in just over 3 hours, a comfortable alternative to driving. During San Fermín, Renfe and bus companies add extra services, but they sell out fast: book a return ticket as soon as you've confirmed your accommodation dates.